Ayurveda, Know Your Prakriti (Psychosomatic Constitution)

Ayurveda is made up of two Sanskrit words Ayu which means Life and Veda which means Knowledge, therefore Ayurveda means Knowledge of Life. It is the oldest and most holistic healing system available and originated in 5000 B.C. in India.

Ayurveda has always believed that the human body is a direct replica of the Universe. Just as everything in the Universe that is physical is Panchbhoutika (Pancha means five, Mahabhoota means basic elements) i.e., it is made up of five basic elements.

Akasha (Space)
Vayu (Air)
Teja (Fire)
Jala (Water)
Prithvi (Earth)

Human body has definite mass: due to Prithvi
Human body has definite motion: due to Vayu
It contains several structures: space provided for these is due to Akasha
It shows definite color, brightness and accomplishes digestion: due to Teja
All structure are having strong bonding with each other: due to Jala.

Space + Air = Vata
Fire + Water = Pitta
Water + Earth = Kalpha

PANCHMAHABHOOTAS and perception of taste

Taste has been recognized to be of six types in Ayuveda. Each taste that is perceived by the tongue has also been said to comprise of Panchamahabhootas in different proportions. A definite combination of two basic elements forms 6 types of taste. These are as follows :

Sweet = Earth + Water
Sour = Earth + Fire
Salty = Fire + Water
Bitter = Fire + Air
Pungent = Space + Air
Astringent = Earth + Air

SAPTA DHATUS


DHATUS

Dhatus are structural blocks of the body. They constitute the body -termed as S?areera. The most important difference between the Doshas and the Dhatus is that the latter perform functions under the influence of the Doshas. The word Dhatu means support, in Sanskrit. Tissues therefore form the infrastructure of the body. There are Seven types of such structural elements that, constitute human body.

Rasa: It represents the primary constitution of human body. Water is a major constituent of human body. Such water is present in human body, both as extra cellular and intracellular fluid content. Rasa dhatu-the first of seven structural elements refers to both extra cellular and intracellular portions of fluid in the body.
Rakta: The word Rakta refers to Blood. Thus, Rakta dhatu represents the blood, which includes its cellular components. Blood is perceived as a special type of tissue, in modern concepts of physiology also.
Mamsa: The muscular tissue, which constitutes many internal organs as well as the muscles, is referred to as Mamsa.
Medas: Medo-dhatu is referred to as adipose tissue. Commonly, adipose tissue comprises of all deposits of fat-distributed in the body.
Asthi: All the bones in human body are composed of a tissue termed as osseous tissue. All such tissue is termed as Asthi dhatu in Ayurveda. Asthi dhatu also include all cartilaginous structure in the body.
Majja: Majja is bone marrow. A special type tissue called myeloid tissue forms bone marrow.
Sukra: Sukra represents the reproductive elements. This includes the sperm in males and ovum in females. Apart from these elements, Sukra also refers to cellular reproductive elements.


PRAKRITI - Your Ayurvedic Body Constitution

Prakriti is the Ayurvedic profile or unique psychosomatic temperament of an individual, encompassing his or her physical, functional and behavioral characteristics. In Ayurveda, Purusha or the body is considered to be a combination of various components like Dosha, Dhatu, Indriya, Manas, Buddhi and Atma. Like genetic coding, every individual has a different combination and is therefore a distinct entity. Dietary preferences, behavioral patterns, job options, performance abilities are all strikingly different between any two individuals.


DOSHAS

Ayurveda identifies that, the functional integrity of human body is governed by a balance of three specific humors, termed as Doshas. Practically speaking, their equilibrium is not a static one but dynamic in nature.

The word Dosha is derived from the root Dus. If translated, the word Dosha would mean a "fault", "stain", and "transgression" against the cosmic rhythm or an inaccuracy that leads to chaos. However, in the context of Ayurveda philosophy, doshas are not per se harmful. Rather, they seem to be called doshas for they are prone to undergo chaos or aberrations under disturbed circumstances.

VATA DOSHA

If Doshas are considered to be manifestations of energy, Vata dosha can rightly be equated to a Kinetic Energy. The origin of the word Vata can be traced to "that which moves" and it fits the dosha to the letter.

Vata is the initiator of all life processes that are dynamic in nature. It represents the impulse in the communication network of the body ? from brain to periphery, from tissue to tissue and cell to cell. Vata is responsible for perception (pain), transmission and reaction. It brings a thought from the memory to consciousness, and transfers current experiences into memories. It inspires speech and is the base for laughter and exaltation.

In human physiology Vata governs all such functions that involve somatic initiation and dynamism:-

* Vata initiates and transmits all stimuli.
* Vata governs the intestinal motility facilitating the downward movement of food we consume.
* Vata governs whole process of respiration.
* Vata governs the movement of heart. Thus, it takes off delivering the nutrients to all cells in our body. It governs the collection and transport of carbon dioxide and other wastes from body.
* Vata governs our intellectual perception, imagination and motivation.

PITTA DOSHA

Pitta represents the somatic energy in all living forms. In a living cell, it converts the ingested food into energy. Pitta maintains the natural pigmentation/colour of cells. Pitta is primarily distributed in the regions of umbilicus, the stomach and small intestines, sweat, lymph, blood, plasma, eyes and skin.

Pitta dosha, as the name suggests, is responsible for all types of transformation in the body. Pitta controls digestion of food in the gut as well as the conversion of light rays which fall on the retina to electrical impulses which in turn are carried by the optic nerve for processing in the brain. A strong Pitta in the brain allows good processing of the information, thereby leading to a certain maturity in comprehension.

If vata dosha controls exultation and laughter, Pitta dosha controls emotions like anger, fear and bravado. In keeping with its effect on the brain, Pitta is responsible for positive and action-oriented emotions. Because it hones the intelligence, Pitta gives rise to greed and may be said to be responsible for Machiavellian tendencies in humans.

In human body, it governs an array of complex activities concerning digestion and metabolism; -

* Pitta generates and maintains some natural urges, like hunger, thirst.
* Pitta represents various secretions, responsible for digestion.
* Pitta regulates the complexion and suppleness of skin
* Pitta is instrumental in the maintenance of vision.
* Pitta supports certain mental phenomena like intellectual comprehension, Conviction, courage and valour.
* Human body is maintained at a constant temperature of 37o C irrespective of temperature in outer environment. This phenomena is called as "Thermo-regulation" and constitutes an important function of Pitta.

KAPHA DOSHA

In human body, Kapha is primarily distributed in chest, throat, head, plasma, fatty deposition and tongue. If Vata is kinetic energy then Kapha is potential energy.

It gives mental strength, as well as resistance to disease. It gives firmness to joints while keeping them lubricated. It also imparts sexual potency.

* Like in living cell, Kapha maintains the structural integrity and confines Individual organs to their specific location.
* It protects the bodily organs against physiological injury.
* Kapha imparts immunity against diseases.
* It maintains the fluid balance.
* Mental phenomenon like, intellectual stability, determinations are governed by Kapha.